Economic Cooperation and Bilateral Trade
between Israel and Vietnam
I. Main economic cooperation in 2004 and in the half of 2005
· In Mid February 2004, the Embassy of Israel in collaboration with the National Institute of Animal Husbandry and the Agriculture and Rural Development Service of Ho Chi Minh city organized two seminars for scientists, dairy experts, farm owners, dairy farming companies. Israel’s experience in dairy cattle farming and management, caring of high quality cows in heat stress, forage preservation and silage were mains topics of the seminars. The seminars were highly appreciated by professional experts helping change the mentality and traditional dairy farming methods in Vietnam.
· In March 2004, a delegation consisting of 6 Israeli leading agrotechnology companies visited Vietnam. The Embassy in coordination with Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized two seminars on 17-18 March in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Each seminar attracted the attention of over one hundred participants. Many exchanges of joint business in agriculture have been carried out during and after the seminars.
· End June and early July, Mr. Yitzhak Simon, Aquaculture Division, Extension Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr. Ron Una, Manager, Sde Eliyahu Tilapia Hatchery visited Vietnam to work with aquaculture research institutes and tilapia producers.
· On 25 August 2004, Israel - Vietnam Trade agreement was signed including MFN conditions on the occasion of the official visit to Vietnam by H.E. Mr. Eliezer Sandberg, Minister of National Infrastructure of Israel. The Agreement will facilitate the trade and economic ties between the two countries.
· Between 8-9 September 2004, Israel’s telecoms delegation headed by Mr. Uri Olenik, General Director of the Ministry of Communications, paid a visit to Vietnam. The delegation met with the Ministry of Posts and Telematics and some leading telecoms companies. A seminar on Israel’s Telecoms was held on this occasion.
· The Embassy participated in the International Agricultural Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh city from 22-29 September. The Ambassador had meetings with the city’s leaders and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
· The Embassy took part in Techmart Hanoi- Haiphong held in Haiphong International Exhibition Center from 21-23 October 2004. Israeli technologies on agriculture and environmental protection, solid and liquid waste treatment were highly interested by Haiphong leaders and visitors.
· The Embassy took part in AgroViet held in Hanoi from 19-23 November. Vietnamese companies were very interested in Israel's agrotechnologies including seeds, irrigation systems, greenhouse and nethouse. Mr. Moshe Zalman, Asia Pacific Region Manager of Hezera Genetics participated in the event and made a presentation at a seminar held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the exhibition.
· Between 7-13 December, the Embassy participated in Can Tho International Agricultural Exhibition. Israel’s irrigation technology, nethouse and seeds were most interested. The Ambassador also had meetings with the Can Tho city’s leaders.
· From 21-27 December 2004, Dr. Solomon Ran, Extension Expert of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture made a joint research with the Institute of Agricultural Science of South Vietnam on improving the method of dairy farming in Ho Chi Minh city, Lam Dong and Binh Duong provinces. He also conducted a lecture for 65 dairy extensionists and dairy farmers of some suburban districts of Hanoi where dairy cows are raising.
· Between 27 February to 2 March 2005, a delegation headed by H.E. Mr. Diep Kinh Tan, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam paid an official visit to Israel. The delegation had working sessions with Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited farms and green houses where hi-tech equipment and technology are applied. The delegation also visited Agricultural Experimental Training Center where 19 first Vietnamese candidates are having 11months on the job training course. The Vice Minister's visit was highly appreciated by the Israeli side, marking a deeper cooperation between the two countries in agriculture.
· On 11 May 2005, Hai Phong city inaugurated the Hi-tech Agricultural Center including three green houses with irrigation systems, micro climate controls supplied by Netafim, Israel. This is second advanced hi-tech agricultural system after the first one installed at Hanoi Plants and Seeds Company. The total area of Hai Phong project is 7,728 m2 consisting of a greenhouse of 3,692 m2 for growing tomato; 2,016 m2 for cucumber and 2,016 m2 for flower. This is an effort of Hai Phong city to develop high quality agricultural products for export.
· Between 29/5- 2/6/2005, a delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries paid a visit to Israel. The delegation had a working tour to typical aquaculture sites in Israel and met with professional and business people in this field. The delegation especially showed a high interest in technology transfer and training in Israel as well as joint research and investment from Israel.
· From 27-28 June 2005, an Israel’s telecom delegation visited to Vietnam. The delegation met the Minister of Posts and Telematics and leading telecoms companies such as VNPT, Viettel, Hanoi Telecom, VP Telecom and other telecom services providers and system integrators.
II. Bilateral trade between Israel and Vietnam
Exports and imports between Israel and Vietnam (in thousand $US)
|
Year
|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
6 months of 2005 |
|
Export
|
11,528.3 |
17,081.9 |
10,318.1 |
17,625.3 |
27,793.4 |
14,352.3 |
|
Import
|
15,757.7 |
18,317.1 |
19,532.5 |
34,174.1 |
48,112.7 |
27,976.6 |
|
Total
|
27,286.0 |
35,399.0 |
29,850.6 |
51,799.4 |
75,906.1 |
42,328.9 |
In the first 3 months of 2005, exports from Israel to Vietnam increased by 21.6% compared to the same period last year and exports from Vietnam to Israel were up 21.2%. The main exports from Israel to Vietnam include fertilizer, chemicals, telecom and security equipment, agrotechnology. The main exports from Vietnam to Israel are footwear, agricultural products, handicrafts and garment…